I know you probably are saying a turtle, really??? Well this wasn't any old turtle.

Kinzyl was laying out in her spot in the sun about 5 feet fromt he bird feeder. She has to keep those pesky squirrels away so the birds can eat. Next thing you know she jumps up and was running back and forth (she was on her lead and couldn't reach what had startled her). Sorry, Christine, she didn't think it was a turtle puppy. I think it pissed her off because it woke her up from her nap. I thought a squirrel had snuck down the tree and caught her off guard, but the next thing I see running full speed across the yard heading toward the woods was this HUGE blob. I went running out there and when I got to the woods I spotted this lovely creature.

**** disclaimer: I know the photos suck, but I did the best I could with my cell phone in the woods.

What is so special about this guy? Look at the size of him! That is a size 8 flip flop I used for comparison. Around here all I have seen are the smaller box turtles that are about the size of a small saucer. The last time I saw one this big was when I was a kid at my Grandfather's lake.

Poor little guy is missing his front foot though. You can see just was is left. He got around pretty good without it. I tried pulling him back to me to get a better picture and he is a strong little sucker.

So I have a few questions. How old would this turtle be? Do they eat birdseed? Thanks for looking.

That turtle would be pretty old....at least 8-10 years I'd say. Our red eared slider was just a bit bigger than that and he was close to 15. They might eat bird seed but more likely eating the bugs that the bird seed attracts.

~Jeanine

You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren't going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.

I can only please one person per day. Today is not your day, tomorrow doesn't look good either.
_______________________________________
"You didn't know of the magical powers of the break stick? It's up there with genies and Harry Potter as far as magic levels go." SisMorphine 01/07/07

Thanks Jeanine and Malli. He was probably eating the bugs. That is a good point. I am glad to know that he is that old. I am glad that he has our place which is far away from the roads for him to stay safe.

There is nothing wrong with a sheltered life! I like my sheltered life. Although Erin likes to reminded me of it often.

What an awesome find. It sounds like Kinzyl enjoyed finding it!! You are very lucky to live in a place where you get to see wildlife. Right now all I have is mutant misquotes, squirrels, and the occasional fox running up the sidewalks.

KatKodi- Mini PoodleMia Puppy - Standard Poodle

If you ever doubt your own beauty, look into your dogs eyes and see for yourself what they see in you.

I have a box turtle that is the side of a small/medium saucer plate at my mom's... I've had him since 2004. Pickiest eater ever! Was only bananas and worms... Now it's worms and homemade bread. You more or less just have to find stuff they like.

We came home the other day and there was a HUGE one sitting in the flower bed. It was the size of a dinner plate. I wanted to keep him My husband said no though, so he went to check a couple hours later and he was gone. They are fast, though. If you put mine down outside and turn around for a second, he's gone! They never put him in the tank anymore because he headbuts it since he hates being in there... So they just let him roam around the room now.

Could be a female looking for a nesting area, and she definitely looks mature enough (I agree w/Jeanine on the age)... I'm SO jealous.

This might be a dumb question but what kind does she look like? Would she nest in the woods? I have an area that I throw all my cuttings at and I swear something sleeps there or something because it is always dug out and then patted down like a bed. I thought it could be a deer bed. I am clueless when it comes to turtles